Q: Hey Boss, we got 2 waterheaters and one chimney what do we do? A; Vent them together.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Pat Dundon on March 14, 2013 at 3:33pm

I saw this with a building manager for an out of town landlord who wanted me to foam the basment walls.  i told him they had to fix the water heater vent first.  there was no pipe to the chimney from these units, which didn't matter much as the chimney was 18 ft away.  The building manager said the landlord would never go for fixing the water heaters too, but he would pay to insulate the basement walls.  I walked away from it. 

Permalink Reply by Guy DuBois on March 14, 2013 at 5:19pm

Everyone viewing this must be thinking; "What were they thinking?"

Permalink Reply by Ron Jones on March 14, 2013 at 6:24pm

There is just no end to this stuff.

Permalink Reply by Andy Simms on March 14, 2013 at 8:54pm

Is that a copper gas line supply line that I see? And is the fuel that is being delivered natural gas or propane? I would hope that it is not propane being that it is in a basement were can pool, being heaver then air. That and the poor venting along with the PVC pipe on the P&T values. Yep it's a bute Clark!

Permalink Reply by Pat Dundon on March 15, 2013 at 4:38am

This 'opportunity' came to me in the early 90's.  I am not sure now if it was propane or Nat Gas, but the house was in an area where gas was prevalent, so I assume it was gas.  The PVC drop tubes on the PT valve are the predominant application in our area.  Basements are also the most common form of residential foundation here, and many of them, even in some fairly dense populations, are served with propane.  Within the past 10 years at least 2 homes blew up because of it.  One in Hallstead PA, another in Horseheads NY. 

I had another for this 'wall of shame' from Whitney Point. NY that I failed to photograph.  It too was early 90's.  Picture a propane fired water heater in a laid stone foundation with no chimney at all.  Directly above the water heater was an open 24x30 register to the living room, standing on that was a 3 yr old kid.  I could see the kid from the basement.  As I turned off the gas line and asked the dad next to me if he loved his kids the man said' hey don't do that it keeps the living room warm'.  

Permalink Reply by Eric Lowry on March 21, 2013 at 11:41am

Don't keep us in suspense.  Did it pass spillage and draft?

And it looks like they installed a little trap at the top of the flue as a condensate trap.

Thanks.

Permalink Reply by Brad Cook on March 21, 2013 at 6:56pm

No drip leg on the gas line, which could impede (stick open) the gas valve

Permalink Reply by Dennis Heidner on March 21, 2013 at 10:00pm

Gas pipe is nicely support also.  

And they did save enough room for the lawn mower and the spare gas tank.

Electrical box above is open...

There is a slightly used coat hanger on the floor... what was that used for?

Permalink Reply by Pat Dundon on March 22, 2013 at 4:34am

that is why they call it the 'hall of shame'.

Strangely enough, the HVAC guys did not affix the huge lable with their name on it.